Table Benching Apparatus and Methods of Using The Same

ABSTRACT

This disclosure provides apparatus that includes kits and systems for connecting together a plurality of tables, having a plurality of elongated foot members that include a plurality of table leg connectors that are connectable to the lower ends of legs of a plurality of tables.

FIELD OF THE DISCLOSURE

This disclosure generally relates to apparatus and methods forconnecting a plurality of tables into a table benching system. Moreparticularly, it relates to apparatus that includes kits and systems forconnecting together a plurality of tables, having a plurality ofelongated foot members that include a plurality of table leg connectorsthat are connectable to the lower ends of legs of the plurality oftables.

BACKGROUND

Modern office spaces often are required to accommodate various workingarrangements. Office furniture may be arranged in numerous ways toaccommodate users that require different types of collaborative workingenvironments, sometimes in larger, more open spaces. In some instances,two or more tables, whether of fixed or adjustable height, may be pushedtogether or otherwise connected together to form what have become knownas “table benching systems” or ganged table systems. Attempting tosimply place tables in a closely spaced apart arrangement often is notacceptable because of the difficulty in keeping the respective tablesaligned in a pleasing and orderly arrangement. Indeed, if tables are notpositively located relative to each other, and in appropriately spacedpositions, there is an increased risk of disruptive and distractingmovement of individual tables and of undesirable pinching of users.Unfortunately, prior art apparatus for connecting tables into tablebenching systems tends to be bulky and obstructive of the spaces betweenand/or around the respective tables, which can limit sight lines andpathways for cabling or use of other structures between the tables.

SUMMARY

Disclosed are example apparatus and methods for connecting a pluralityof tables into a table benching system. The illustrated exampleapparatus includes kits for connecting a plurality of tables, andresulting systems that include a kit and the tables that are connectedor ganged together to provide multiple coordinated user work stations.

The apparatus permits users to switch between having independent tablesand a table benching system, based on its modular construction that alsois capable of adding sequential pairs of tables to previously connectedtables. Thus, an entire table benching system that includes a pluralityof tables and elongated foot members may be purchased and used asoriginal equipment, or a table benching kit having elongated footmembers may be used to connect and configure a plurality of existingotherwise stand-alone tables into a table benching system. The abilityto remove the original feet on a plurality of tables and to insteadutilize a kit having such modular application allows for much desiredflexibility for end users who may later need to adapt the use andplacement of the plurality of tables to changing spaces or collaborativefurnishing needs.

In another aspect, a table benching kit is provided for connectingtogether a plurality of tables that each have at least two legs and atable top. The table benching kit includes at least first and secondelongated foot members, with each of the at least first and secondelongated foot members having opposed ends and further including aplurality of table leg connectors spaced apart from each other andspaced inward from the respective opposed ends. At least a first one ofthe plurality of table leg connectors of the first elongated foot memberis connectable to a lower end of a first leg of a first table and atleast a second one of the plurality of table leg connectors of the firstelongated foot member is connectable to a lower end of a first leg of asecond table, while at least a first one of the plurality of table legconnectors of the second elongated foot member is connectable to a lowerend of a second leg of the first table and at least a second one of theplurality of table leg connectors of the second elongated foot member isconnectable to a lower end of a second leg of the second table, suchthat when the table benching kit is connected to the lower end of thelegs of the first and second tables, the first and second tables arepositioned parallel to each other.

In another aspect, a table benching system is provided including firstand second tables, with each of the first and second tables furtherhaving at least a first leg and a second leg that are connected to atable top, and first and second elongated foot members, with each of thefirst and second elongated foot members having opposed ends and furtherincluding a plurality of table leg connectors spaced apart from eachother and spaced inward from the respective opposed ends. A lower end ofthe first leg of the first table and a lower end of the first leg of thesecond table are connected to respective table leg connectors of thefirst elongated foot member, and a lower end of the second leg of thefirst table and a lower end of the second leg of the second table areconnected to respective table leg connectors of the second elongatedfoot member, and when the respective lower ends of the legs of the firstand second tables are connected to the first and second elongated footmembers, the table tops of the first and second tables are positionedparallel to each other.

The present disclosure addresses shortcomings in prior art arrangementsfor table benching, while providing for enhanced aesthetic designs andconvenience. Each elongated foot member may be constructed to receive atleast one leg of two or more tables. A variety of materials, styles andmethods of construction of elongated foot members may be used, which mayinclude alternative structures for the table leg connectors. Theelongated foot members may be constructed with different materials,which generally are rigid, and may include various metals, plastics,wood or the like. The ability to utilize a variety of materials indesigning and constructing the elongated foot members is highlyadvantageous and permits diverse and creative alternative designs.Depending on the selection of materials, this also may yield elongatedfoot members of less bulky construction, potentially reducing the weightand/or volume necessary for shipping.

In an office benching system, it is not desirable to transfer motionform one connected work surface of a table to another work surface of afurther table. To avoid a tendency for elongated foot members to flexand transmit motions from one table to another, each elongated footmember that connects legs of two or more tables may include one or morestiffeners. To avoid damage to a floor or ground surface and to theelongated foot members, the elongated foot members may include glidesthat extend downward from the elongated foot members to engage and reston the ground surface. To permit leveling adjustment of the table tops,the optional glides also may be height adjustable. Stiffeners also mayhelp to support the load of the connected tables that may be transmittedto the floor via two or more glides.

It should be noted that four tables can be connected by using matchingelongated foot members and connecting two of the elongated foot memberswith spanners to bridge between them and keep them parallel. For ease ofassembly and improved aesthetics, each spanner may conveniently includea removable cover. Alternatively, a table benching system may use twodifferent types of elongated foot members, including a first typelocated at the ends of the system and that are connected to legs of twotables. and a second type located at intermediate locations that areconnected to legs of four tables.

It is to be understood that both the foregoing general description andthe following detailed description are exemplary and provided forpurposes of explanation only, and are not restrictive of the disclosure,as claimed. Further features and objects of the present disclosure willbecome more fully apparent in the following description of an exampleembodiment and from the appended claims.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

In describing the example apparatus and methods disclosed herein,reference is made to the accompanying drawings wherein like parts havelike reference numerals, and wherein:

FIG. 1 is an upper perspective view that shows a first example of atable benching kit arranged with two tables in an example table benchingsystem, as well as a further example that includes an extension of thefirst example table benching system based on the inclusion of a secondpair of tables and further table benching kit components that permit theconnection of four tables;

FIG. 2 is a lower perspective view of the example kits and systems shownin FIG. 1;

FIG. 3 is an upper perspective exploded view of the example kits andsystems shown in FIGS. 1 and 2;

FIG. 4 is a side plan view of the example kits and systems shown inFIGS. 1-3;

FIG. 5 is an end plan view of the example kits and systems shown inFIGS. 1-3;

FIG. 6 is a top plan view of the example kits and systems shown in FIGS.1-3;

FIG. 7 is an upper perspective view of an elongated foot member used toconnect the lower ends of respective legs of two tables in the examplekits and systems shown in FIGS. 1-3;

FIG. 8 is an upper perspective exploded view of the elongated footmember shown in FIG. 7;

FIG. 9 is a top plan view of an elongated foot member shown in FIGS. 7and 8, with a longitudinal section line through the elongated footmember;

FIG. 10 is a longitudinal cross-section view of the elongated footmember shown in FIG. 9;

FIG. 11 is a side view of the elongated foot member shown in FIGS. 7 and8, with a lateral section line through the elongated foot member;

FIG. 12 is a lateral cross-section view of the elongated foot membershown in FIG. 11;

FIG. 13 is a bottom plan view the elongated foot member shown in FIGS. 7and 8;

FIG. 14 is an upper perspective view of six tables in a furtherextension of the example table benching kits and table benching systemsshown in FIGS. 1-3;

FIG. 15 is an upper perspective view of a plurality of tables connectedtogether by another example table benching kit to form another exampletable benching system; and

FIG. 16 is an upper perspective view of a further extension of theexample table benching kit and table benching system shown in FIG. 15.

It should be understood that the drawings are not to scale and thatactual embodiments may differ. It also should be understood that theclaims are not limited to the particular examples illustrated, butrather cover various configurations of table benching kits that may beused within alternative table benching systems.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

Although the following discloses examples of table benching kits andtable benching systems, and methods of using the same, persons ofordinary skill in the art will appreciate that the teachings of thisdisclosure are in no way limited to the example embodiments. On thecontrary, it is contemplated that the teachings of this disclosure maybe implemented in alternative configurations and environments. Inaddition, although the examples described herein are shown inconjunction with particular configurations of tables and elongated footmembers, those having ordinary skill in the art will readily recognizethat the teachings of the disclosure herein may be used in alternativekits and systems, whether the tables have two or more legs and whetherthe elongated foot members receive legs of two or four tables, and maybe designed to be used with alternative table and/or elongated footmember constructions.

Referring to FIGS. 1-13, it will be appreciated that a first exampletable benching kit 10 is provided for connecting together a plurality oftables, with the first example including a pair of tables. While theyneed not necessarily be identical, the two tables of the first examplehave the same construction. Each of the two tables has at least two legs12, 14 that are connected to a table top 16. It will be appreciated thatthe legs generally are located proximate opposed ends of the each table,either at or spaced inward from the respective ends of the table top 16.It also will be appreciated that each table could have more than twotable legs, such as having four or more legs. While the two tables areof similar construction, for convenience of description, the first twotables will be referred to as tables A and B. The first example tablebenching kit 10, in combination with the plurality of tables A and B,form a first example table benching system 50 that includes the twotables A, B being connected together and having their table tops 16parallel and spaced apart from each other, in a side by sideorientation.

In this example, the table benching kit 10 includes at least first andsecond elongated foot members. In this example, while they need not be,the elongated foot members advantageously have the same construction.Thus, the elongated foot members are of even-handed or universalconfiguration, in that each elongated foot member may be installed ateither end and may be turned in either direction. Each of the first andsecond elongated foot members 18 has opposed ends 18 a, 18 b, andfurther includes a plurality of table leg connectors 18 c. Each of theelongated foot members 18 has its table leg connectors 18 c spaced apartfrom each other and spaced inward from the respective opposed ends 18 a,18 b.

As may be seen in FIGS. 1-3, at least a first one of the plurality oftable leg connectors 18 c of the first elongated foot member 18 isconnectable to a lower end 12 a of a first leg 12 of a first table A andat least a second one of the plurality of table leg connectors 18 c ofthe first elongated foot member 18 is connectable to a lower end 12 a ofa first leg 12 of a second table B. At least a first one of theplurality of table leg connectors 18 c of the second elongated footmember 18 is connectable to a lower end 14 a of a second leg 14 of thefirst table A and at least a second one of the plurality of table legconnectors 18 c of the second elongated foot member 18 is connectable toa lower end 14 a of a second leg 14 of the second table B. It will beappreciated that when the table benching kit 10 is connected to thelower ends 12 a, 14 a of the legs 12, 14 of the first and second tablesA, B, the first and second tables A, B and their respective table tops16 are positioned parallel to each other, and the table benching kit 10and tables A, B form the table benching system 50.

While there could be selective differences, for cost effectiveness, easeof manufacture and assembly, all of the elongated foot members 18 of theexample table benching kit 10 and table benching system 50 have the sameconstruction. Thus, the elongated foot members 18 could be used oneither end of a like pair of tables A, B, and may be reversed indirection. More detailed views of an example elongated foot member 18are shown in FIGS. 7-13. As may be seen with respect to the exampleelongated foot member 18, each of the first and second elongated footmembers further comprises a lower portion 22 that supports at least oneleg 12 or 14 of each of the first and second tables A, B. As further maybe seen with respect to the example elongated foot member 18, the lowerportion 22 of each of the first and second elongated foot members 18 mayinclude two upstanding side walls 24 connected to a lower wall 26. Stillfurther, the elongated foot member 18 may include an upper wall 28connected to the lower portion 22, such as by connection to the twoupstanding side walls 24 by welding or other suitable means ofconnection.

Additional stiffening of each of the elongated foot members 18 may helpto isolate motion of one table from another, and may increase therigidity and load capacity of the respective elongated foot members.This is shown with respect to an example elongated foot member 18, whichmay further include at least one stiffening element 30. As may be seenin FIGS. 8, 10 and 12, the example stiffening element 30 may beconstructed as a generally elongated U-shaped channel. The stiffeningelement 30 also may be connected to and extend along at least a portionof the lower wall 26 of the lower portion 22. Indeed, the exampleelongated foot members 18 of the table benching kit 10 and tablebenching system 50 may include one or more stiffening elements 30, andthe example elongated foot member 18 is shown having a pair ofstiffening elements 30 disposed between the two upstanding side walls 24and being connected to the lower wall 26, such as by welding, use offasteners or other suitable means of connection. Such stiffeningelements 30

As shown with the example elongated foot member 18, each table legconnector 18 c may include an aperture 32 in the example upper wall 28of each of the first and second elongated foot members 18, 20. Eachaperture 32 is configured to receive a lower end 12 a, 14 a of at leastone leg 12, 14 of the first or second table A, B. As further shown inthe example, the table leg connectors 18 c also may include the lowerwall 26 of each of the first and second elongated foot members 18further including at least one aperture 34, and at least one fastener 36that is extendable through the at least one aperture 34 and connects thelower portion 22 to the lower end 12 a, 14 a of at least one leg 12, 14of the first or second table A, B. In this example, four fasteners 36,in the form of threaded screws, extend through four apertures 34 and areused to removably and rigidly connect a table leg 12, 14 to theelongated foot member 18 by being received in corresponding threadedapertures in the lower end 12 a, 14 a of the respective table leg 12,14. With the disclosed structure, connection of the table legs to theelongated foot members is easily established and provides sufficientsupport and rigidity to hold upright the tables A, B, each of which hasonly two legs. While the table leg connectors of the present exampleinclude an aperture in an upper wall of an elongated foot member thatreceives a lower end of a table leg, as well as at least one fastenerthat connects the lower end of the table leg to a lower wall of theelongated foot member, it will be appreciated that the table legconnectors may be of alternative construction. For instance, a table legconnector may provide an upright extension from an elongated footmember, with the upright extension being received within a lower end ofa table leg, such as in a sleeved configuration. Thus, there may bealternative structures used for the table leg connectors, and they maydepend on the structures of the lower ends of the table legs that areintended to be connected to the elongated foot members.

As further illustrated, each of the first and second elongated footmembers 18 optionally may have at least two downward extending glides38, intended to contact and rest on a ground or floor surface whileholding the lower portion 22 of the elongated foot member 18 above theground surface. In this example, each glide 38 extends downward from andmay be adjustable relative to the lower wall 26, such as by having theglide 38 include a threaded shaft that is received by a female threadedinsert 40 that is connected to the lower wall 26, such as by welding,press fit or other suitable means of connection. It will be appreciatedthat the glides may be useful ultimately in leveling the surfaces of thetable tops 16 of the tables A, B. Also, while two adjustable glides 38are shown on each elongated foot member 18, more than two glides may beprovided and they may be height adjustable or of a simple fixed length.

The aforementioned provides a table benching system 50 that includesfirst and second tables A and B, with each of the first and secondtables A, B further having at least a first leg 12 and a second leg 14that are connected to a table top 16, and first and second elongatedfoot members 18. Each of the first and second elongated foot members 18has opposed ends 18 a, 18 b and further includes a plurality of tableleg connectors 18 c spaced apart from each other and spaced inward fromthe respective opposed ends 18 a, 18 b. A lower end 12 a of the firstleg 12 of the first table A and a lower end 12 a of the first leg 12 ofthe second table B are connected to respective table leg connectors 18 cof the first elongated foot member 18. A lower end 14 a of the secondleg 14 of the first table A and a lower end 14 a of the second leg 14 ofthe second table B are connected to respective table leg connectors 18 cof the second elongated foot member 18. When the respective lower ends12 a, 14 a of the legs 12, 14 of the first and second tables A, B areconnected to the first and second elongated foot members 18, the tabletops 16 of the first and second tables A, B are positioned parallel toeach other.

While a table benching kit 10 may include only two elongated footmembers, 18 that connect two tables A, B into a table benching system50, it will be appreciated that table benching kits and systems providedherein are extendible by adding one or more successive further pairs oftables. For instance, FIGS. 1-3 also can be understood to show anexample table benching kit 60 that may be connected to a plurality oftables that includes a further pair of tables C and D. The tables C, Dare of the same construction as tables A, B, and together with the tablebenching kit 60, the tables form a table benching system 100. Thus, thisfurther example table benching kit 60 includes at least third and fourthelongated foot members 18, with each of the at least third and fourthelongated foot members 18 the same construction as the first and secondelongated foot members, with opposed ends 18 a, 18 b and furtherincluding a plurality of table leg connectors 18 c, spaced apart fromeach other and spaced inward from the respective opposed ends.

As may be seen in the example shown in FIGS. 1-3, at least a first oneof the plurality of table leg connectors 18 c of the third elongatedfoot member 18 is connectable to a lower end 12 a of a first leg 12 ofthe third table C and at least a second one of the plurality of tableleg connectors 18 c of the third elongated foot member 18 is connectableto a lower end 12 a of a first leg 12 of the fourth table D. Further, atleast a first one of a plurality of table leg connectors 18 c of thefourth elongated foot member 18 is connectable to a lower end 14 a of asecond leg 14 of the third table C and at least a second one of theplurality of table leg connectors 18 c of the fourth elongated footmember 18 is connectable to a lower end 14 a of a second leg 14 of thefourth table D. Thus, the third and fourth tables C, D are connected byfurther pair of elongated foot members 18.

In this example of a further extended table benching system, at leastone spanner 42 connects the second elongated foot member 18 to the thirdelongated foot member 18. As such, when the at least one spanner 42 isconnected to the second and third elongated foot members, and the tablebenching kit 60 is connected to the lower end of the legs of the first,second, third and fourth tables A-D, respectively, the first, second,third and fourth tables A-D are positioned parallel to each other.Connection of the table benching kit 60 to the four tables A-D providesa sleek and clutter free table benching system 100 that is capable ofmaintaining an orderly, parallel and spaced apart arrangement of thetables A-D.

The example table benching kit 60 is shown with a second spanner 42 thatconnects the second elongated foot member 18 to the third elongated footmember 18. In this example, female threaded inserts 44 are connected toeach of the upstanding side walls 24 at apertures therein by press fit,welding or other suitable means of connection. This permits use offasteners, such as threaded screws to secure the ends of the spanners 42to the lower portion 22 of the elongated foot members by engagement withthe inserts 44. To conceal the use of such fasteners, a cover 46 may beused with each spanner 42. In this example, the cover 46 may include areleasable connector, such as a magnet, if at least one of the cover 46and/or spanner 42 is of steel construction. However, it will beappreciated that other forms of releasable connectors may be used, suchas hook and loop fasteners, push pins, twist lock fasteners, or thelike. The cover 46 may be slid into place above the spanner 42 and belowan edge of the upper wall 28, yielding a particularly clean fit andfinish for the table benching system 100, or may be snap fit over orotherwise connected to the spanner.

It will be appreciated that one wide spanner or two or more narrowerspanners may be used to maintain a parallel connection between thesecond and third elongated foot members, and the spanners may be ofalternative construction but should be of the same length. It also willbe understood that the distance between the ends of the table tops 16and respective the legs 12, 14 will influence the length and/orconfiguration of the at least one spanner that is needed to connect twoelongated foot members, with the possibility that elongated foot membersmay be immediately adjacent each other and the spanner may be simply inthe form of a fastener or fasteners that hold the elongated foot membersadjacent each other. Moreover, the design of the relative locations ofthe table legs and table tops, as well as the elongated foot members andtheir respective table leg connectors, may be chosen to permit a giventable construction to yield a table benching system with positioning ofthe table tops adjacent each other or further spaced apart from eachother.

With use of the table benching kit 60, a series of connected pairs oftables is defined when the each of the first and second elongated footmembers 18 is connected to a first pair of tables A, B and when each ofthe third and fourth elongated foot members 18 is connected to a secondpair of tables C, D, and the second pair of tables C, D is furtherconnected to the first pair of tables A, B by the at least one spanner42. This is shown for example in FIGS. 1-3. However, this also is shown,in part, in FIG. 14 where the table benching kit 60 that connects thetables A-D may further include two or more additional elongated footmembers 18 having a plurality of table leg connectors 18 c, and one ormore additional spanners 42 to connect one or more additional pairs oftables, such as tables E, F, to each other and to the series. It will beunderstood that this pattern could be repeated for any number ofadditional pairs of tables.

An alternative example table benching kit 110 is shown in FIG. 15, whichtogether with four tables A-D forms a table benching system 200. In thisexample, two different constructions for elongated foot members areused. A first type of elongated foot member 18 has a plurality of tableleg connectors 18 c and is similar to the elongated foot members 18 ofthe prior examples. This first type of elongated foot member 18 is usedexclusively at the outer ends of the table benching system 200, toreceive and connect together the lower ends of at least one leg fromeach of two tables, such as tables A and B, or tables C and D. A secondtype of elongated foot member 20 has opposed ends 20 a, 20 b, andfurther includes a plurality of table leg connectors 20 c. Eachelongated foot member 20 has its table leg connectors 20 c spaced apartfrom each other and spaced inward from the respective opposed ends 20 a,20 b, but in sufficient number to receive and connect together the lowerends of at least one leg from each of four tables, such as tables A-D.The second type of elongated foot member 20 is used at intermediatepositions between the ends of the system. The elongated foot member 20is wider than the elongated foot member 18, and it includes a pluralityof table leg connectors 20 c that are of sufficient number to connect tofour tables simultaneously. The elongated foot member 20 may include oneor more stiffening elements 30, or of an alternative configuration, toenhance the rigidity and load capacity of the wider elongated footmember 20 that may be connected to four or more table legs. With fourtables A-D connected together, the first type of elongated foot member18 is used in the first and third positions along the length of thesystem, while the second type of elongated foot member 20 is used in thesecond position along the length of the system.

FIG. 15 illustrates a table benching kit 110 for connecting together aplurality of tables A-D, however, in this arrangement, second elongatedfoot member 20 is of the second type having additional table legconnectors 20 c. Thus, at least a first one of the plurality of tableleg connectors 20 c of the second elongated foot member 20 isconnectable to a lower end 14 a of a second leg 14 of the first table Aand at least a second one of the plurality of table leg connectors 20 cof the second elongated foot member 20 is connectable to a lower end 14a of a second leg 14 of the second table B, and at least a third one ofthe plurality of table leg connectors 20 c of the second elongated footmember 20 is connectable to a lower end 12 a of a first leg 12 of athird table C and at least a fourth one of the plurality of table legconnectors 20 c of the second elongated foot member 20 is connectable toa lower end 12 a of a first leg 12 of a fourth table D. In this example,at least a third elongated foot member 18 has opposed ends 18 a, 18 band further includes a plurality of table leg connectors 18 c spacedapart from each other and spaced inward from the respective opposedends, where at least a first one of the plurality of table legconnectors 18 c of the third elongated foot member 18 is connectable toa lower end 14 a of a second leg 14 of the third table C and at least asecond one of the plurality of table leg connectors 18 c of the thirdelongated foot member 18 is connectable to a lower end 14 a of a secondleg 14 of the fourth table D. With this arrangement, when the tablebenching kit 110 is connected to the lower end of the legs of the first,second, third and fourth tables A-D, the first, second, third and fourthtables A-D are positioned parallel to each other. Accordingly, it willbe understood that one can use an alternative to spanners betweenelongated foot members that are in the intermediate positions within atable benching system, by using elongated foot members having adifferent configuration that is capable of connecting together legs offour tables, instead of connecting together legs of only two tables.

As illustrated in FIG. 16, a series of connected pairs of tables may bedefined when the first and second elongated foot members are connectedto a first pair of tables A, B and the second and third elongated footmembers are connected to a second pair of tables C, D. Moreover, such atable benching kit 110 may further include one or more additionalelongated foot members 20 having a plurality of table leg connectors 20c to connect one or more additional pairs of tables E, F to each otherand to the series. It will be understood that this pattern could berepeated for any number of additional pairs of tables.

It will be appreciated that the foregoing description sets forthapparatus that may be assembled for use in various table benching systemconfigurations. For example, when assembling the table benching system100 having four tables A-D, as shown in FIGS. 1-3, one may start bysimply placing the table tops 16 of tables A and B on a level groundsurface. The table tops 16 should be placed along side of each other,with the legs 12, 14 of the tables A, B extending upward. The lower ends12 a, 14 a of the legs 12, 14 then may be connected by use of a pair ofelongated foot members 18. The lower ends 12 a, 14 a of the respectivelegs 12, 14 are received within the leg connectors 18 c in the elongatedfoot members 18. Fasteners 36 then may be extended through apertures 34in the lower wall 26 to connect the lower portion 22 of each respectiveelongated foot member 18 to the lower ends 12 a, 14 a of the legs 12,14. The third and fourth tables C and D may be connected to each otherin the same way as just described for connecting the tables A and B. Thetwo pair of connected tables A, B and C, D then may be inverted to placethe elongated foot members 18 on the ground surface and then positionedto have their ends located close to each other. This will result in thefour elongated foot members 18 being arranged parallel to each other. Atleast one spanner 42, and in this example two spanners 42, then may beconnected to the second and third elongated foot members 18, so as toconnect the two pair of tables into a table benching system 100 with thefour tables A-D having their table tops 16 parallel to each other. Inthis example, the fasteners used to connect the spanners 42 to theelongated foot members 18 then may be concealed by installing removablecovers 46.

The table benching system 200 shown in FIG. 15 may be assembled byplacing the table tops 16 of tables A-D on a level ground surface. Thetable tops 16 of tables A, B and of tables C, D should be placed alongside of each other in pairs, with the pairs then placed end to end. Withthe legs 12, 14 of the tables A-D extending upward. The lower ends 12 a,14 a of the legs 12, 14 then may be connected by use of two elongatedfoot members 18 at the ends of the system 200 and one elongated footmember 20 at the center of the system 200. Thus, at a first end of thesystem 200, the lower ends 12 a of the respective legs 12 of the firstand second tables A, B are received within the leg connectors 18 c inthe first elongated foot member 18. In the center of the system 200, thelower ends 14 a of the respective legs 14 of the first and second tablesA, B and lower ends 12 a of the respective legs 12 of the third andfourth tables C, D are received within the leg connectors 20 c in theelongated foot member 20. At the second end of the system 200, the lowerends 14 a of the respective legs 14 of the third and fourth tables C, Dare received within the leg connectors 18 c in the second elongated footmember 18.

Fasteners 36 then may be extended through apertures 34 in the lower wall26 to connect the lower portion 22 of each respective elongated footmember 18, 20 to the lower ends 12 a, 14 a of the legs 12, 14. Theconnected assembly of the four tables A-D then may turned upright toplace the elongated foot members 18, 20, 18 on the ground surface foruse. It will be appreciated that the table benching kit and tables maybe assembled into a table benching system in an alternative manner. Forexample, with the table tops 16 separated from the respective legs 12,14 of tables A-D, the two elongated foot members 18 and one elongatedfoot member 20 may be connected to the respective legs 12, 14, and thenplaced on the ground surface with the respective legs 12, 14 extendingupward. The respective table tops 16 then may be mounted onto therespective table legs 12, 14 to complete the assembly of the tablebenching system 200. This will result in the elongated foot members 18,20, 18 being arranged parallel to each other and the four tables A-Dhaving their table tops 16 parallel to each other.

While the present disclosure shows and demonstrates example apparatusfor table benching kits and table benching systems, and methods of usingthe same, the examples are merely illustrative and are not to beconsidered limiting. It will be apparent to those of ordinary skill inthe art that apparatus in accordance with the present disclosure may beprovided in various configurations, constructed of various materials andmay be constructed to be installed in combination with various types oftables, without departing from the scope or spirit of the presentdisclosure. Any variety of suitable materials of construction,configurations, shapes and sizes for the components and methods ofconnecting the components within the scope of the claims may be utilizedto meet the particular needs and requirements of an end user. Thus,although example embodiments and methods of assembly relating to thetable benching kits and table benching systems have been describedherein, the scope of coverage of this patent is not limited to theexamples illustrated. On the contrary, this patent covers all methods,apparatus and articles of manufacture fairly falling within the scope ofthe appended claims either literally or under the doctrine ofequivalents.

1. A table benching kit for connecting together a plurality of tablesthat each independently have at least two legs and a table top, thetable benching kit comprising: at least first and second elongated footmembers; each of the at least first and second elongated foot membershaving opposed ends and further comprising a plurality of table legconnectors spaced apart from each other and spaced inward from therespective opposed ends; wherein when the table benching kit isconnected to the plurality of tables, at least a first one of theplurality of table leg connectors of the first elongated foot member isconnected to a lower end of a first leg of a first table and at least asecond one of the plurality of table leg connectors of the firstelongated foot member is connected to a lower end of a first leg of asecond table and at least a first one of the plurality of table legconnectors of the second elongated foot member is connected to a lowerend of a second leg of the first table and at least a second one of theplurality of table leg connectors of the second elongated foot member isconnected to a lower end of a second leg of the second table; andwherein when the table benching kit is connected to the lower end of thelegs of the first and second tables, an upper end of the first leg ofthe first table is separately movable relative to an upper end of thefirst leg of the second table and an upper end of the second leg of thefirst table is separately movable relative to an upper end of the secondleg of the second table, and the first and second tables are positionedparallel to each other.
 2. The table benching kit of claim 1, whereineach of the first and second elongated foot members further comprises alower portion that supports at least one leg of each of the first andsecond tables.
 3. The table benching kit of claim 2, wherein each of thefirst and second elongated foot members further comprises at least oneelongated stiffening element.
 4. The table benching kit of claim 2,wherein the lower portion of each of the first and second elongated footmembers further comprises two upstanding side walls connected to a lowerwall.
 5. The table benching kit of claim 4, wherein each of the firstand second elongated foot members further comprises a plurality ofstiffening elements disposed between the two upstanding side walls. 6.The table benching kit of claim 4, wherein each of the first and secondelongated foot members further comprises an upper wall connected to thelower portion.
 7. The table benching kit of claim 6, wherein the upperwall of each of the first and second elongated foot members includes atleast two apertures, wherein each aperture receives the lower end of atleast one leg of the first or second table.
 8. The table benching kit ofclaim 7, wherein the lower wall of each of the first and secondelongated foot members further comprises at least one aperture, and atleast one fastener is extendable through the at least one aperture andconnects the lower portion to the lower end of at least one leg of thefirst or second table.
 9. The table benching kit of claim 2, whereineach of the first and second elongated foot members further comprises atleast two downward extending glides.
 10. The table benching kit of claim9, wherein each glide extends downward from and is adjustable relativeto the lower wall.
 11. The table benching kit of claim 1, furthercomprising: at least third and fourth elongated foot members; each ofthe at least third and fourth elongated foot members having opposed endsand further comprising a plurality of table leg connectors spaced apartfrom each other and spaced inward from the respective opposed ends;wherein when the table benching kit is connected to the plurality oftables, at least a first one of the plurality of table leg connectors ofthe third elongated foot member is connected to a lower end of a firstleg of a third table and at least a second one of the plurality of tableleg connectors of the third elongated foot member is connected to alower end of a first leg of a fourth table, and at least a first one ofa plurality of table leg connectors of the fourth elongated foot memberis connected to a lower end of a second leg of the third table and atleast a second one of the plurality of table leg connectors of thefourth elongated foot member is connected to a lower end of a second legof the fourth table; at least one spanner that connects the secondelongated foot member to the third elongated foot member; and whereinwhen the at least one spanner is connected to the second and thirdelongated foot members and the table benching kit is connected to thelower end of the legs of the first, second, third and fourth tables, anupper end of the first leg of the third table is separately movablerelative to an upper end of the first leg of the fourth table and anupper end of the second leg of the third table is separately movablerelative to an upper end of the second leg of the fourth table, and thefirst, second, third and fourth tables are positioned parallel to eachother.
 12. The table benching kit of claim 11, further comprising asecond spanner that connects the second elongated foot member to thethird elongated foot member.
 13. The table benching kit of claim 11,further comprising a cover that is connected to the at least one spannerby at least one releasable connector.
 14. (canceled)
 15. The tablebenching kit of claim 13, wherein the cover releasable connector furthercomprises a magnet that connects to the spanner.
 16. The table benchingkit of claim 11, wherein a series of connected pairs of tables isdefined when the pair of first and second elongated foot members isconnected to a first pair of tables and the pair of third and fourthelongated foot members is connected to a second pair of tables and thesecond pair of tables is connected to the first pair of tables by the atleast one spanner, and wherein the table benching kit further comprisestwo or more additional elongated foot members having a plurality oftable leg connectors and one or more additional spanners to connect oneor more additional pairs of tables to each other and to the series. 17.The table benching kit of claim 1, further comprising: at least a thirdone of the plurality of table leg connectors of the second elongatedfoot member is connected to a lower end of a first leg of a third tableand at least a fourth one of the plurality of table leg connectors ofthe second elongated foot member is connected to a lower end of a firstleg of a fourth table; at least a third elongated foot member havingopposed ends and further comprising a plurality of table leg connectorsspaced apart from each other and spaced inward from the respectiveopposed ends; at least a first one of the plurality of table legconnectors of the third elongated foot member is connected to a lowerend of a second leg of the third table and at least a second one of theplurality of table leg connectors of the third elongated foot member isconnected to a lower end of a second leg of the fourth table; andwherein when the table benching kit is connected to the lower end of thelegs of the first, second, third and fourth tables, an upper end of thefirst leg of the third table is separately movable relative to an upperend of the first leg of the fourth table and an upper end of the secondleg of the third table is separately movable relative to an upper end ofthe second leg of the fourth table, and the first, second, third andfourth tables are positioned parallel to each other.
 18. The tablebenching kit of claim 17, wherein a series of connected pairs of tablesis defined when the first and second elongated foot members areconnected to a first pair of tables and the second and third elongatedfoot members are connected to a second pair of tables, and wherein thetable benching kit further comprises one or more additional elongatedfoot members having a plurality of table leg connectors to connect oneor more additional pairs of tables to each other and to the series. 19.A table benching system comprising, first and second tables; each of thefirst and second tables independently further comprising at least afirst leg and a second leg that are connected to a table top; first andsecond elongated foot members; each of the first and second elongatedfoot members having opposed ends and further comprising a plurality oftable leg connectors spaced apart from each other and spaced inward fromthe respective opposed ends; a lower end of the first leg of the firsttable and a lower end of the first leg of the second table beingconnected to respective table leg connectors of the first elongated footmember; a lower end of the second leg of the first table and a lower endof the second leg of the second table being connected to respectivetable leg connectors of the second elongated foot member; and whereinwhen the respective lower ends of the legs of the first and secondtables are connected to the first and second elongated foot members, anupper end of the first leg of the first table is separately movablerelative to an upper end of the first leg of the second table and anupper end of the second leg of the first table is separately movablerelative to an upper end of the second leg of the second table, and thetable tops of the first and second tables are positioned parallel toeach other.
 20. The table benching system of claim 19, wherein each ofthe first and second elongated foot members further comprises a lowerportion that supports the lower end of at least one leg of the first andsecond tables.
 21. The table benching system of claim 19, wherein eachof the first and second elongated foot members further comprises atleast one elongated stiffening element.
 22. The table benching system ofclaim 20, wherein the lower portion of each of the first and secondelongated foot members further comprises two upstanding side wallsconnected to a lower wall.
 23. The table benching system of claim 22,wherein each of the first and second elongated foot members furthercomprises a pair of stiffening elements disposed between the twoupstanding side walls.
 24. The table benching system of claim 22,wherein each of the first and second elongated foot members furthercomprises an upper wall connected to the lower portion.
 25. The tablebenching system of claim 24, wherein the upper wall of each of the firstand second elongated foot members includes at least two apertures,wherein each aperture receives the lower end of at least one leg of thefirst or second table.
 26. The table benching system of claim 25,wherein the lower wall of each of the first and second elongated footmembers further comprises at least one aperture, and at least onefastener is extendable through the at least one aperture and connectsthe lower portion to the lower end of at least one leg of the first orsecond table.
 27. The table benching system of claim 20, wherein each ofthe first and second elongated foot members further comprises at leasttwo downward extending glides.
 28. The table benching system of claim19, further comprising: third and fourth tables; each of the third andfourth tables independently further comprising at least a first leg anda second leg that are connected to a table top; third and fourthelongated foot members; each of the third and fourth elongated footmembers having opposed ends and further comprising a plurality of tableleg connectors spaced apart from each other and spaced inward from therespective opposed ends; a lower end of the first leg of the third tableand a lower end of the first leg of the fourth table being connected torespective table leg connectors of the third elongated foot member; alower end of the second leg of the third table and a lower end of thesecond leg of the fourth table being connected to respective table legconnectors of the fourth elongated foot member; and wherein when therespective lower ends of the legs of the third and fourth tables areconnected to the third and fourth elongated foot members, an upper endof the first led of the third table is separately movable relative to anupper end of the first led of the fourth table and an upper end of thesecond leg of the third table is separately movable relative to an upperend of the second leg of the fourth table, and the table tops of thethird and fourth tables are positioned parallel to each other.
 29. Thetable benching system of claim 28, further comprising at least onespanner that connects the second elongated foot member to the thirdelongated foot member; and wherein when the at least one spanner isconnected to the second and third elongated foot members, the table topsof the first, second, third and fourth tables are positioned parallel toeach other.
 30. The table benching system of claim 29, furthercomprising a second spanner that connects the second elongated footmember to the third elongated foot.
 31. The table benching system ofclaim 29, further comprising a cover that connects to the at least onespanner.
 32. The table benching system of claim 31, wherein the coverfurther comprises a releasable connector.
 33. The table benching systemof claim 19, wherein each of the legs of the first and second tables isheight adjustable.
 34. The table benching system of claim 29, wherein aseries of connected pairs of tables is defined when the pair of thirdand fourth tables that are connected by the third and fourth elongatedfoot members are further connected by at least one spanner to the pairof first and second tables that are connected by the first and secondelongated foot members, and wherein the table benching system furthercomprises one or more additional pairs of tables that each are connectedby an additional pair of elongated foot members and are connected to theseries by at least one additional spanner.
 35. The table benching systemof claim 19, further comprising: third and fourth tables; each of thethird and fourth tables further comprising at least a first and a secondleg that are connected to a table top; at least a third elongated footmember having opposed ends and further comprising a plurality of tableleg connectors spaced apart from each other and spaced inward from therespective ends; a lower end of the first leg of the third table and alower end of the first leg of the fourth table being connected torespective table leg connectors of the second elongated foot member; alower end of the second leg of the third table and a lower end of thesecond leg of the fourth table being connected to respective table legconnectors of the third elongated foot member; and wherein when therespective lower ends of the legs of the first, second, third and fourthtables are connected to the first, second and third elongated footmembers, an upper end of the first leg of the third table is separatelymovable relative to an upper end of the first leg of the fourth tableand an upper end of the second leg of the third table is separatelymovable relative to an upper end of the second leg of the fourth table,and the table tops of the first, second, third and fourth tables arepositioned parallel to each other.
 36. The table benching system ofclaim 35, wherein a series of connected pairs of tables is defined whenthe first and second elongated foot members are connected to a firstpair of tables and the second and third elongated foot members areconnected to a second pair of tables, and wherein the table benchingsystem further comprises one or more additional elongated foot membershaving a plurality of table leg connectors to connect one or moreadditional pairs of tables to each other and to the series.
 37. A tablebenching kit for connecting together a plurality of tables that eachhave at least two legs and a table top, the table benching kitcomprising: at least first and second elongated foot members; each ofthe at least first and second elongated foot members having opposed endsand further comprising a plurality of table leg connectors spaced apartfrom each other and spaced inward from the respective opposed ends;wherein when the table benching kit is connected to the plurality oftables, at least a first one of the plurality of table leg connectors ofthe first elongated foot member is connected to a lower end of a firstleg of a first table and at least a second one of the plurality of tableleg connectors of the first elongated foot member is connected to alower end of a first leg of a second table, and at least a first one ofthe plurality of table leg connectors of the second elongated footmember is connected to a lower end of a second leg of the first tableand at least a second one of the plurality of table leg connectors ofthe second elongated foot member is connected to a lower end of a secondleg of the second table; at least third and fourth elongated footmembers; each of the at least third and fourth elongated foot membershaving opposed ends and further comprising a plurality of table legconnectors spaced apart from each other and spaced inward from therespective opposed ends; wherein when the table benching kit isconnected to the plurality of tables, at least a first one of theplurality of table leg connectors of the third elongated foot member isconnected to a lower end of a first leg of a third table and at least asecond one of the plurality of table leg connectors of the thirdelongated foot member is connected to a lower end of a first leg of afourth table, and at least a first one of a plurality of table legconnectors of the fourth elongated foot member is connected to a lowerend of a second leg of the third table and at least a second one of theplurality of table leg connectors of the fourth elongated foot member isconnected to a lower end of a second leg of the fourth table; at leastone spanner that connects the second elongated foot member to the thirdelongated foot member; and wherein when the at least one spanner isconnected to the second and third elongated foot members and the tablebenching kit is connected to the lower end of the legs of the first,second, third and fourth tables, the first, second, third and fourthtables are positioned parallel to each other.